FREDERICK OZIAKPONO?OHO, J.C.A.:(Delivering the Leading Judgment): This Appeal has arisen from a dispute involving the sharing of compensation proceeds from the Oil Exploration activities of the Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited between the Umuchia family of Umualum Umuapu and the Umuachakala family all of Umualum Umuapu in Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A. of Imo State. By a writ of summons dated on the 7-4-2010 and filed on the 9-4-2010, the Respondents as Claimants filed a suit against the Appellants as Defendants at the lower Court, wherein they claimed the following reliefs;
a. A Declaration of the Hon. Court that the Umuachakala being a member of Umunji/Family are entitled to any compensation paid in respect of the Ikwegbu Drilling location Access road and ANY OIL EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES as stated in the judgment of Court in suit No. HOG/73/92 BETWEEN MAXWELL LEMONWU and ANOR v. PATRICK ENYINNAYA and 11 ORS.
b. An Order of Court, that the Defendants should pay the Plaintiff the sum of …